Adrian Newey’s passion project has arrived.
On Friday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Red Bull Racing unveiled the RB17 hypercar, the latest model Newey has designed for the team. Instead of the F1 cars that Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez will race on the world’s most famous circuits, the RB17 will be sold to the public.
But with only 50 units planned for production, there won’t be many consumers.
According to the official statement:The RB17 is a “two-seater carbon [fiber] The monocoque chassis is fitted with a semi-stressed, mid-mounted, naturally aspirated V10 engine that redlines at 15,000 rpm.[w]”Weighting less than 900kg and with over 1,200hp, the RB17 is capable of F1-level lap times and a top speed of over 350km/h, whilst remaining easy to own and operate.”
Red Bull is promising each owner a “complete customer experience,”[o]Unique driver development and customisation of the car to suit the needs of each individual driver are part of this unique experience. Each RB17 will be bespoke, with customers able to specify everything from the exterior paint job. [color] We pay special attention to the interior materials and the small details.”
At the launch, team principal Christian Horner called the car a “future classic.” “We’re thrilled to unveil the RB17 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. This project is one of the most authentic and exciting Red Bull Advanced Technologies has ever undertaken,” Horner said. “As a performance-driven organisation with 20 years of history in the world of F1, it was only natural that we would design our own hypercar from the ground up. With its combination of technical innovation, proven track record and emotional appeal, the RB17 is a groundbreaking car. I’m incredibly proud of the team and excited to show it off in person. We expect the RB17 to be a future classic.”
Newey emphasised that the RB17’s two-seater nature allows owners to experience F1-like speed with a friend.
“I’ve been thinking about the challenge of designing my own hypercar for years and it’s been an incredible project and journey, from concept to delivery,” said Newey. “It’s fantastic to finally be able to pull back the curtain and see the RB17 come to life. The RB17 hypercar has everything we aspire to – undeniable power, speed and beauty. It’s highly adaptable in its capabilities and we’ve designed it as a two-seater so you can enjoy the thrill of driving it at F1 speeds with a friend or partner.”
The announcement comes amid a swirl of speculation over Newey’s next destination – it was announced before the Miami Grand Prix that he would be leaving Red Bull in early 2025, and the legendary engineer and designer has been linked with a number of teams around the paddock, including Williams, Aston Martin and Ferrari.
Reports say Motorsport ItalyHowever, Newey has reportedly been pushing for Ferrari in recent times, with Aston Martin and McLaren emerging as possible suitors for him, as he is reported to want to remain in the UK.
Newey worked for McLaren from 1997 to 2005, designing the MP4/13 and MP4/14, both cars driven by Mika Hakkinen to the Drivers’ Championship in 1998 and 1999. McLaren also won the Constructors’ Championship in 1998 with the MP4/13.
Newey’s decision is expected to be made later this season.
